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Systems Engineering Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for a Manager of Systems Engineering to serve as the key liaison between build engineers and commercial service teams, driving compliance, automation, and operational excellence in ...

Mechanical Systems Engineering

Forest, VA ยท On-site

$80K - $149K/yr

Mechanical Systems Engineer Job Code: 41934 Job Location: Forest, VA Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked, and have every other Friday off The ...

Systems Engineering Manager

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

$131K - $290K/yr

Systems Engineering Manager Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI with Polygraph Employee Type: Regular Percentage of Travel Required: None Type ...

Systems Engineering Manager

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

$131K - $290K/yr

Systems Engineering Manager Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI with Polygraph Employee Type: Regular Percentage of Travel Required: None Type ...

Sr. Specialist, Systems Engineering

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$106K - $197K/yr

Specialist, Systems Engineer Job Code: 39096 Job Location: Millersville, MD or Herndon, VA (on-site) Schedule: 9/80 Regular Schedule ( 9/80 Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours ...

Showing results 21-40

Systems Engineering information

See Virginia salary details

$60K

$140.9K

$194.3K

How much do systems engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems engineering in Virginia is $140,851.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,000.00 and $171,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is systems engineering?

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on designing, integrating, and managing complex systems throughout their life cycles. It involves coordinating various engineering disciplines and specialties to ensure that all parts of a project work together efficiently to meet customer needs. Systems engineers use principles from engineering, management, and mathematics to address both the technical and organizational aspects of a project, from initial concept through development, deployment, and maintenance.

How does a systems engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project lifecycle?

Systems Engineers play a pivotal role in bridging various departments such as software, hardware, and project management throughout the project lifecycle. They facilitate communication by translating technical requirements between teams, ensuring that all components integrate seamlessly. Regular meetings, documentation reviews, and design sessions are common, and Systems Engineers often serve as mediators to resolve technical conflicts or dependencies. This collaborative environment helps deliver robust and scalable solutions that meet both business and technical goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a systems engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Systems Engineer, you need a solid background in systems architecture, integration, and problem-solving, often supported by a degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like MATLAB, SysML, and requirements management software, as well as certifications such as INCOSE CSEP, are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork are essential soft skills to excel in multidisciplinary environments. These competencies ensure the efficient design, implementation, and maintenance of complex systems that meet organizational goals.

What is the difference between Systems Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectSystems EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Systems Engineering, Electrical, or related fields; often certifications like INCOSEBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; often PE licensure
Work EnvironmentProject teams, systems integration, interdisciplinary collaborationDesign labs, manufacturing, product development
Industry UsageTechnology, aerospace, defense, ITAutomotive, manufacturing, robotics
Common Search/ComparisonYesNo

Systems Engineering focuses on designing and managing complex systems across various disciplines, emphasizing integration and lifecycle management. Mechanical Engineering centers on designing and manufacturing mechanical devices and systems. While both roles require engineering degrees, their focus areas, work environments, and industry applications differ significantly.

Is a systems engineer a high paying job?

Systems engineering is generally considered a well-paying profession, with salaries often above the national average for engineering roles. Factors such as experience, certifications, and industry can influence earnings, and the role typically requires strong technical skills and knowledge of systems design and integration.

What is the job of a systems engineer?

A systems engineer designs, develops, and manages complex systems by integrating hardware, software, and processes to ensure they function efficiently and reliably. They analyze requirements, troubleshoot issues, and often use tools like modeling and simulation to optimize system performance. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of engineering principles are essential for this role.

What jobs can you get as a systems engineer?

Systems engineers can work in roles such as systems analyst, network engineer, cybersecurity engineer, or systems architect. They often design, develop, and manage complex systems, requiring skills in systems integration, troubleshooting, and familiarity with tools like CAD or simulation software. Certifications like INCOSE or CompTIA can enhance job prospects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Systems Engineering jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Systems Engineering jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Systems Engineering jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Systems Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Systems Engineering job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,851 per year, or $67.7 per hour.

Lead Systems Engineering

L3Harris Technologies

Herndon, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Review, analyze, and understand program objectives, system concepts, and system and subsystem equipment, functions, interfaces, and operations.

  • Develop and maintain computer models of sonar system performance based on ocean sound propagation principles and collaborate on system specifications, requirements, and design artifacts.

  • Support testing activities, analyze data from verification tests, and participate in sea trials and system installations.


Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers' mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Lead, Systems Engineer

Job Code: 39926

Job Location: Millersville, MD or Herndon, VA (on-site)

Schedule: 9/80 Regular Schedule (9/80 Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off)

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Exercise your passion for engineering by engaging in rapid development and deploying new and innovative, next generation solutions that sets L3Harris apart from our competitors.

We are seeking a motivated individual to join our team as a Lead, Systems Engineer as an acoustics modeling and simulation subject matter expert within the Seabed Systems Business Unit. This individual will play a vital role in engaging with external and internal customers in the support of multiple subsea programs providing capabilities in underwater acoustics sensor infrastructure as well as acoustics communications (ACOMMS). With general supervision, this individual will be responsible for acoustics analysis in support of hardware/software requirements definition, decomposition, allocation, management, and verification / validation of technical products and systems.

Essential Functions:

Responsibilities include review, analysis, and understanding of program level objectives, system concept of operation, system and subsystem equipment, functions, interfaces, and operations.

Responsible for requirements definition, flow-down and traceability for complex electronic systems embracing model-based systems engineering (MBSE) processes to enhance development speed and quality

Develop and maintain computer models of sonar system performance based on principles of ocean sound propagation, source and receiver characteristics, and signal detection algorithms.

Collaborate with other Systems Engineers in the development of work products, including System Specifications, Logically Derived and Linked Requirements, Interface Definitions, System Diagrams, Systems Analyses, Trade Studies, and Detailed Designs.

Development and coordination of engineering artifacts for program design reviews. Participate in technical exchanges with customers and subcontractors.

Supports Systems Engineering execution within the business area (cost, schedule, technical)

Experience architecting, analyzing, developing, and integrating end-to-end systems

Evaluate overall systems project risks and support risk mitigation planning and execution with program and functional leadership.

Conduct analysis and design tests to validate system designs. Support testing activities by developing plans, providing data recording and analysis requirements, and producing analysis reports.

Analyze data from design verification test efforts and maintain test results

Able to effectively brief status and results to program and customer.

Other duties as required

Participate in sea trials and system installations.

Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. DOD security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.

Ability to obtain and maintain any additional clearances as required.

Up to 15% of travel. Up to four weeks of continuous travel from home and aboard ships at sea

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience, or Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. Or in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.

Demonstrated mastery of underwater acoustic propagation modeling using tools such as BELLHOP/BELLHOP3D, RAM/PE, CASS, SST, Acoustics Toolbox, KRAKEN, SCOOTER/SPARC, OASES, or equivalent physics-based solvers. Expert fluency in ocean acoustics, including sound speed structure, volume and boundary interactions, signal propagation and coherence, ambient noise structure and coherence, and the traditional models and databases used to characterize them analytically.

Proven experience building end to end analysis workflows that integrate acoustic propagation models, MATLAB processing, environmental databases, and wrappers such as Bash script and C-language programming. Experience validating such modeling outputs by cross checking against established legacy tools and physics-based benchmarks to ensure model fidelity and traceability.

Expertise in analyzing acoustic system design and performance, including ocean signal propagation and noise properties, sensor transduction, front-end signal conditioning, phased array design and performance, short- and long-haul telemetry, sonar and communications signal processing, and operator interfaces and data display. Experience analyzing customer requirements and allocate performance specifications among all these end-to-end system elements is required; design expertise in one or more of these end-to-end system elements is a plus.

Experience applying acoustic modeling to deployed seabed sensor systems, mobile platform sonar systems, or underwater acoustic communications channels. Experience translating raw model outputs into actionable system engineering artifacts such as performance budgets, detection range estimates, coverage assessments, and operational scenario analyses.

Familiarity and experience with experimental methods for characterizing ocean acoustic environments and sonar or communication system performance. Experience planning at-sea activities, including defining sea test objectives and metrics, specifying acoustic sources and receivers, specifying at-sea recording and analysis for quality assurance, defining participant roles and responsibilities, defining platform capabilities, and managing data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Leadership experience in defining modeling standards, advancing internal toolchains, mentoring junior engineers, and shaping long term modeling and simulation strategy for undersea systems.

Demonstrated experience in systems engineering and the government program acquisition lifecycle.

Working knowledge of any standard system engineering process including MIL-STD-499, EIA-632, IEEE 1220 or IEEE/ISO/IEC 15288.

Experience using Microsoft Office products.

Knowledge with DOORs and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).

Preferred Additional Skills:

Active DoD SECRET clearance with current 6-year update

Experience with DOORS, Cameo suite of MBSE tools or similar, MS Visio.

Experience with Earned Value Management.

Familiarity with underwater products and acoustics.

Working knowledge of Cisco routers and switches.

RF communication theory experience.

Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, & presentation).

Outstanding work ethic and commitment to organizational success.

Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work well with individuals within and outside of the organization and have a strong drive and sense of ownership.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role is $127,500 - $236,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

#LI-IK1

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

Employment Type: Full-Time